Neurological and Visual Outcomes in Infants and Toddlers Following Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Pediatric Neurology, cilt.151, ss.131-137, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 151
- Basım Tarihi: 2024
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.11.002
- Dergi Adı: Pediatric Neurology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.131-137
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Neonatal encephalopathy, Therapeutic hypothermia, Neurovisual impairments, Cerebral visual impairment
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: The majority of studies have investigated neurodevelopmental outcomes, whereas visual impairment is less explored in children with a history of neonatal (hypoxic-ischemic) encephalopathy. Our aim was to perform a detailed neurological and visual assessment and also to investigate the presence of cerebral visual impairment in infants and toddlers with neonatal encephalopathy. Methods: Thirty participants with a history of neonatal encephalopathy, who had been hospitalized for therapeutic hypothermia, underwent a detailed neurological examination at age five to 36 months. Age-matched, 30 healthy children were also enrolled as a control group. All children in the study and control groups received neurological and a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including visual field and visual acuity. Presence of cerebral visual impairment was also evaluated clinically. Results: Rates of cerebral palsy, severe motor impairment, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, and cerebral visual impairment were found to be 20%, 10%, 15.3%, 10%, and 20%, respectively. When compared with healthy controls, oculomotor functions, pupillary light response, refractive parameters, anterior/posterior segment examinations, ocular visual impairment rates, and last, visual acuities were found similar. However, we found a statistically significant increase in visual field defects in our study group. Conclusions: It could be better to perform a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including visual field, visual acuity, and oculomotor functions by a pediatric ophthalmologist to accurately diagnose neurovisual deficits in infants following therapeutic hypothermia. Early identification and rehabilitation of the visual deficits might improve the neurodevelopment in these children.